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  • The Old Vicarage - Lake District - 972685 - photo 1
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The Old Vicarage

(Ref. 972685)

Keswick, Cumbria & The Lake District Show on map

4.4

Sykes rating

  • 12 Guests

  • 6 Bedrooms

  • 6 Bathrooms

  • Pets No

Features

  • Electric vehicle charging
  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor accommodation
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Games Room
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • house (22)
  • our (19)
  • great (16)
  • lovely (16)
  • bed (15)
  • kitchen (14)

41 Customer Reviews

  • "The Old Vicarage was a fabulous, comfortable base for our weekend get together, in this beautiful part of the Lake District."

    It has spacious bedrooms which are en-suite except one, and the kitchen/dining room layout was great for socialising whilst cooking.

    Reviewed by KatieMar 2024

  • "Great accommodation but there’s a couple of easy things that can be done to improve guests’ stay: 1."

    Please provide large bath towels. 2. Guests are asked to strip the beds for you and place used linen (and towels) into the bags provided. We couldn’t find the bags (I’m sure you don’t mean the black bin liners. Normally there would be a laundry basket. Buy a laundry basket please if you insist on guests doing this work for you). 3. Given the tasks you ask guests to perform you really need to have a later check out. 10:00 would do it. You can easily give guests an extra 30 minutes if you want them to undertake the above tasks for you (inc clearing ash from the fireplaces. You may want to add the proviso only if it’s cooled enough to do safely do so). We loved the remodelling and refreshing of the rooms on the ground floor. It’s probably a work in progress but the downstairs toilet and shower look (and smell) pretty bad and are tiny. En suite in the new downstairs bedroom and extending the games area to the current toilet and shower area would be a vast improvement here. Thank you.

    Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. We are pleased to see that you enjoyed your stay, and we take all comments on board. Thank you. The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner

    Reviewed by PaulFeb 2024

  • "Great house would definitely stay again"

    Reviewed by DeborahJan 2024

  • "This place was great to stay."

    Beautiful views of Helvellyn and Blencathra and ideal location for reaching both south and northern ranges. Accommodation itself had everything we needed (except for bin bags!) and we only left early due to a power cut, which we can hardly blame the accommodation for. Overall it was grand and I’m sure we’ll be back.

    Reviewed by JackJan 2024

  • "Cottage was lovely Ä¥ad a very pleasant stay for my wife's birthday children ..."

    Cottage was lovely ĥad a very pleasant stay for my wife's birthday children loved it only issue was the rubbish bins there wasn't any which caused a small issue

    Glad you had a good time. Unbeknown to us the council bin contractor suddenly removed outside bins and we still don’t understand why. It has been resolved. Property Owner

    Reviewed by KevinJan 2024

  • "The house was wonderful."

    So clean and tidy and everything we could possible need was there. Loads of space in the kitchen, big cupboards and huge fridge/freezer. All the en suites were lovely and clean.The position of the property and views from the windows were out of this world. Couldn't fault it at all. We had a fantastic holiday. Thank you so much.

    We are really pleased you had a good holiday. Property Owner

    Reviewed by AndrewOct 2023

  • "We stayed in the old vicarage last year and we were very pleased to see great improvements in the kitchen, notably an excellent new fridge freezer and new cooker with induction hob."

    The only downside was as reported last year the mattress in the master bedroom still needs to be replaced. However we still had a very enjoyable week.

    Reviewed by DavidSep 2023

  • "The old vicarage is a great house,very large with good size bedrooms and a big kitchen that had all necessary kitchen equipment needed."

    A garden and seating area for those sunny days In an ideal location with some walks at the back of the house and close to keswick Town and all others within a short drive. The house was very comfortable but not very clean. When beds were stripped we could not believe the amount if dust underneath them and also the sweat stains on the pillows, I would say this place needs a deep clean with new bedding. But we also noticed it was for sale so maybe no effort is put into cleaning it properly,which is sad because ut as everything going for it.

    Reviewed by StephenAug 2023

  • "Lovely house in a beautiful setting."

    Bedrooms and en suites good for our holiday group. Very comfortable beds and the very large fridge freezer was brilliant. There were some small things that did not spoil the holiday but which just need a mention. The round cubicle shower door kept coming off the runner. The toilet is loose in the Hellvelyn en-suite. The en-suites would benefit from adding something to put toiletries on and, as mentioned in other reviews the whole house could do with a really good deep clean.

    Reviewed by AnneAug 2023

  • "Lovely big house had everything we could have hoped for apart from the weather, on the whole lovely comfy beds (apart from one) The only down side was that in places it could have been cleaner (ie kitchen floor, under furniture etc) & recycling bins hadn’t been emptied."

    Sykes didn’t get back to us about it when we contacted them at the time. Bathrooms could have done with some kind of shelving or cupboards to house toiletries which there was no where for them to be stored. Perfect location, beautiful setting, great garden. On the whole a fabulous house and had almost everything we could have wished for (was particularly impressed with the new extra large fridge freezer which made it perfect for having a drinks fridge separate to the food one & housed all the pre cooked & frozen food we brought with us for the week) It was great having the electric charging point too. The house was perfect for our extended family celebration. *NB - cleaners need to check they put right number of hand towels & bath mats out as they were missing from the Helvelyn room, also the bathroom toothbrush holder/cup was missing too

    Reviewed by WendyJul 2023

  • "We loved The Old Vicarage, it suited our family and age range, it’s a spacious house , the integral kitchen and dining area was a real bonus for our family meals every evening, the house was well equipped."

    We just loved the views out over the fells and had lots of fun playing in the garden. The house is convenient for essentials in Keswick, we had a memorable time celebrating our Golden wedding anniversary with our children and grandchildren. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share your lovely home. We hope to be back on another occasion.

    A Golden Wedding anniversary is something of which you can be very proud. Congratulations! We are delighted you had a good holiday. Property Owner

    Reviewed by LyndaJul 2023

  • "House was perfect for our family holiday and facilities and local was ideal."

    Children a bit disappointed at no pool table as advertised but the table tennis kept then amused. House though clean, could do with a deep clean in our case having a baby who is now crawling everywhere!(the crawling was an adventure and a plus)! Overall a great property.

    Reviewed by KimMay 2023

  • "Lovely, spacious, clean house."

    Spot on for our family group. My only issue with Sykes is the early checkout and late check-in times. Nobody wants to pack up and leave a holiday cottage by 9.30!

    Reviewed by Adam PhilipApr 2023

  • "The accommodation and location were absolutely perfect."

    It can be hard to find the right place when you have a bit group of people, but this house accommodated our party of 10 with room to spare. The house was well kept and the rooms very comfortable. The facilities in the kitchen and bathrooms were also excellent and well equipped. The heating system was also very reliable and functioning well. For such a big house, we were never cold or without hot water for showers. Thank you very much.

    Thank you for your lovely comments that you found the house just right. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay at The Old Vicarage, and when you are back in Keswick again, we would love to welcome you back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by CharlesMar 2023

  • "Lovely property."

    Will definitely book again.

    We look forward to welcoming you back to the Lake District. Property Owner

    Reviewed by PaulMar 2023

  • "Fantastic stay."

    Already re-booked for next year. Wonderful property and location.

    Reviewed by JohnFeb 2023

  • "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this delightful house."

    It was spacious, warm and comfortable. The provision of fuel for the fires was generous as was the level of heating in the house generally. As for complaints, these were of a nature that I, as a landlord myself, would have expected the managing agents to have eliminated. As I wrote to Sykes, the toilet seat in the ‘Swan’ room was uncomfortably loose; in the same room one of the window blinds collapsed. I also informed Sykes that the microwave oven had broken down while we were there; I received no acknowledgement. In the dining room one of the chair seats was also loose. Presumably previous tenants filled one of the rubbish bins with bottles and another with paper; none of these bins had been emptied; we put our bottles into recycling bins at the farm. We were instructed that ash from the open fireplace was to be put in the bin at the back of the house; this was also full with no recommendations as to what then to do with the ash. The house was adequately cleaned, not more, possibly due to the previous tenants leaving the same day that we arrived; cobwebs were noticed in some rooms.

    Thank you for your recent feedback, we are glad you found The Old Vicarage warm and spacious for your needs. We have resolved the issues you had during your stay and a new microwave has been installed. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Duncan RogerDec 2022

  • "Nice property, lots of space, but I think this property would benefit from a deep clean, cobwebs in lots of corners."

    Biggest problem is the kitchen has a small, dated larder fridge and for a property of this size, taking 10-12 people at a time, it would benefit massively by having a large American style fridge....there is plenty of room for it. As a party of 10 we had to leave drinks outside to get them cold with limited space for fresh foods

    Reviewed by PeterNov 2022

  • "Lovely big house, well - furnished and with comfortable beds."

    Beautiful views from the house. Well-equipped kitchen. Bus stop not far from the house so easy to get into Keswick. However, house is let down by lack of tlc. It needs a good deep clean, in all the corners, under the beds and furniture and around the radiators. Freezer door in the kitchen doesn't close so could leak.

    Reviewed by KathrynSep 2022

  • "Would definitely recommend this property."

    Apart from the mattress being quite worn in the master bedroom I could not really fault this property. I was slightly concerned about the property being about two miles from Keswick but there is an excellent bus service and also a footpath if you prefer to walk.

    Reviewed by DavidSep 2022

  • "Altogether a good stay."

    Bit of an awkward at start, as we requested to park our cars early but were denied by hosts as they said the cleaners needed access to the car park. The car park accomodated up to about 6 cars so i don't see why this would have been an issue. Not really an issue, just felt a bit "computer says no". Apart from that, fantastic stay.

    Reviewed by AnthonySep 2022

  • "The property is great for two or three families to stay in as all six of the bedrooms upstairs have its own en-suite."

    The garden is great outside and so is the views from the gardens and the rooms at the back and side of the house. Unfortunately what let’s it down is the cleanliness of the place. It really needs a good deep clean throughout especially the floors. The sofas need to be replaced in the lounge as well.

    Reviewed by LouiseAug 2022

  • "The house and the location are stunning and we thoroughly enjoyed our weeks stay."

    There are many things to praise but there were a couple of things that let it down. The fridge and freezer are in desperate need of defrosting and cleaning. The fridge was constantly leaking. The second oven on the range was not working and as a large family gathering was very much needed. The runner on the bottom dish washer kept coming off. No pool table as advertised and the games have a lot of pieces missing and should be thrown away. The bin drawer needs to be cleaned. Under the beds need a hoover Unfortunately, we were besieged by flies in the kitchen, this is down to the time of year but if something like a screen was put on the kitchen door this may help??

    Reviewed by ClaireAug 2022

  • "The Old Vicarage is really nice and in a great location and I'm loathe to criticize."

    But there were some small things that knocked the shine off it and were annoying because they should and could be easily remedied. Light-pull in downstairs loo; the rope was black with all the pulling. (yuk) The handle on the fridge was simllarly dirty and worn. The left hand oven didn't work. The cast iron grate 'pan' (grill) in fireplace was only half there, which meant everything fell through. The roller blinds didn't work. Loo seats loose. One of bikes had a pedal that had come off. Big sun shade in garden had a non-functioning spoke. There was no pool table as advertised (big disappointment) Fairly small things but the message is, 'no TLC' But all in all a lovely time was had by all!.

    Reviewed by JohnJul 2022

  • "From the moment we approached the driveway until our departure we found it hard to fault this lovely former vicarage with its stunning views and spacious yet homely and comfortable accommodation."

    Having one bathroom per bedroom was ideal for our party, especially in view of the recent pandemic. During a heatwave it was possible to remain cool because of the thick stone walls. We hope to book again for 2023.

    Reviewed by ChristineJul 2022

  • "A lovely week with extended family who have not been together for nearly 3 years."

    The house was great for our needs, with plenty of space and lots of en suite facilities. The outside space and garden was enjoyed by the kids and the views from the garden in the evening Summer sun were appreciated by all of us. The kitchen and dining area were great for such a family of foodies as we are, although the gas pressure on the oven means cooking larger meals takes a bit of patience! The central location in the Lakes is great for accessing lots of interesting attractions, walks and scenery. The main road outside is quite busy at times, but we weren't really overly disturbed by traffic noise, and the rear of the house away from the main road feels quite secluded. Definitely a place we would visit again - in fact we wanted to book the same week again next year and were disappointed to find that it's not available.

    Reviewed by AndrewJul 2022

  • "We had a very enjoyable stay in a great property, which easily accommodated our large group."

    A few improvements could be made: the lounge furniture was worn out and uncomfortable and the dusting and polishing was inadequate. The gas pressure in the cooker was too low to get a good flame and the freezer compartment was broken and badly needed defrosting. Lastly, there were no non-stick frying pans, which makes it very difficult to cook eggs.

    Reviewed by SteveMay 2022

  • "Great property, would stay again."

    However, the checkout time really needs to be pushed back to 10 or 11am, 9am is a too early.

    Reviewed by PeterMar 2022

  • "Firstly there are a list of minor niggles that I would like to mention."

    I would like these passed on to the owner/caretaker: The rear floodlight was flickering badly on occasion The shed door was open and had been broken, one door plank was completely off and on the ground The shower hose in Blencathra was leaking badly and we had to tape it up to use Two light bulbs in the hall needed to be replaced The tumble dryer condenser tray was left full to overflowing on arrival Two glasses were chipped There were cobwebs in the corner of the lounge opposite the door Floor area behind the door from hall into the rear passage was very dirty Matchbox on lounge mantle with only used matches inside Bed-frame under bed in Blencathra is broken A clean dustpan and brush would have been useful The departure time of 9.00am was somewhat unrealistic for a property of this size with this many guests. A day of holiday was lost with an arrival time of 4.00pm and departure time of 9.00am and most of the day prior to departure was spent packing, tidying and sorting out the fridge etc. Having said all that.... (and I am happy for you to publish only from here on so long as previous comments are passed to owner/caretaker) The property was amazing and we felt privileged to have the use of it. It is a beautiful house in a lovely setting. The level of equipment (seating, bedding, tables, crockery etc.) and facilities (TV., internet, table tennis, pool etc.) is excellent, the grounds are well maintained. All our party said it was the most memorable Christmas and were well pleased with the venue. It was warm and cosy throughout and we soon felt very comfortable there. The children especially loved the space and sense of freedom. In all we enjoyed our stay very much and would be happy to recommend the property to others.

    Reviewed by DerekDec 2021

  • "Enjoyed our stay despite not having any electricity on Saturday night."

    Comfortable cottage and well equipped. Would stay again.

    Reviewed by CatherineNov 2021

  • "Absolutely first class in every way x only one thing to mention NOT a complaint The ground floor bedroom did not have toilet facility in bedroom you had to walk quite a few yards to toilet shower not good for elderly guest during the night."

    This would not put us off - we would still like to come again - en suite in all other room perfect for our party of 12 people Thank you for letting us share this wonderful property xx

    Reviewed by PaulineNov 2021

  • "A well appointed and spacious property situated in a lovely rural location, yet only 2/3 miles from Keswick."

    Whilst the house is actually only a short distance from the main Ambleside to Keswick road it sits at a lower level to the road and there was very little traffic noise. Kitchen is a little on the small size for a large group of people but our numbers were much less and served us well. Lots of bedroom space , a large lounge and separate dining room with a big table. Restricted space for use of the pool and table tennis tables. Generally good facilities as described. Being such a large property, thorough cleaning must be a problem on changeover day. Our friends group were very happy with the house which provided us with everything we needed for our social get together .

    Reviewed by RobertOct 2021

  • "The house is very comfortable and spacious."

    There are en suites in every room bar one which has its own separate shower room and toilet. It is in a fantastic location just outside Keswick with plenty of opportunities for scenic walks nearby. It feels quiet and secluded as it is up a driveway. The views over Low & High Rigg and over to Helvellyn are breathtaking. There are two gardens and a shed with two bikes for use. The kitchen is well stocked and there are two dining areas - one in the kitchen itself and another, separate dining room (with a piano for after-dinner recitals!). There are lots of books and games in the lounge and a ping pong table in the games room. Our large family (parents in 50s with adult and teenage children) loved this accommodation and we would absolutely come back.

    Reviewed by BeverleyAug 2021

  • "Lovely house."

    With great garden and excellent views.

    Reviewed by SarahMay 2021

  • "A beautiful property with stunning views."

    Our only problem was lack of hot water when we arrived but that was sorted very quickly. We would love to go back to the Old Vicarage as we all had such an enjoyable time. Keswick is a lovely town and just 2 miles away and Derwent Lake is beautiful, my 3 granddaughters swam in it a couple of times (even though they looked a bit blue afterwards)! I would thoroughly recommend Sykes Cottage Holidays to anyone and if you want a big house, then the Old Vicarage can't be bettered. Thank you for a super week in the Lake District.

    Reviewed by DeborahJul 2020

  • "The house is very comfortable and well equipped for a large party."

    The views from the house and garden are spectacular.

    Reviewed by JDec 2019

  • "The house is beautiful and in a great location but could seriously do with a deep clean eg knobs on kitchen cupboards were sticky/greasy and paint worn off and some of the soft furnishings could do with updating/upgrading ie carpets."

    There was a rather unpleasant smell coming from the annexe toilet. In a couple of the showers the soap trays were rusty. The overall cleanliness of the cottage was disappointing.

    Reviewed by RosemaryOct 2019

  • "What a delight the Old Vicarage is - warm, spacious and comfortable in a splendid setting and close enough to Keswick's amenities to make it a very convenient place to stay."

    We want to come back. In fact, we plan to come back next year. It is difficult to see how the Old Vicarage could be improved upon. Loved it!

    Reviewed by MFeb 2019

  • "Great house for family gatherings with children."

    Large garden and good position foe lots of activities

    Reviewed by JeanAug 2018

  • "Wonderful views from the patio area of the property."

    Very quiet and lots of space to be together as a group or to find some peace and quiet if needed. Very convenient for Keswick Convention and also for accessing lots of lovely local fell walking.

    Reviewed by KatieJul 2018

  • "Fantastic location, well equipped cottage, particularly useful to have a shower for every 2 guests."

    Reviewed by BJul 2018

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This property is part of the Lakelovers collection.
We have properties to suit every occasion throughout the southern and central Lake District including; Ambleside Cottages, Bowness Cottages, Coniston Cottages, Grasmere Cottages, Hawkshead Cottages, Lakeside Cottages, Langdale Cottages, Troutbeck Cottages, Ulswater Cottages, Windermere Cottages and smaller hamlets between, which although seldom heard of are none the less equally wonderful. With hundreds of properties available, all of which are inspected and graded by the English Tourism Council, Lakelovers are sure to have a property to meet your needs.

Summary

  • Over two floors
  • Six bedrooms: 1 x ground floor twin
  • 2 x first floor king-size doubles with en-suite bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC; one with en-suite shower room with basin and WC, 1 x first floor double with en-suite shower room with basin and WC and 2 x first floor twin, one with en-suite bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC and one with en-suite wet room with basin and WC
  • Ground floor shower, basin and WC
  • Utility room
  • Games room
  • Sitting room with open fire
  • Inner sitting room with wood burning stove
  • Dining room
  • Breakfasting kitchen
  • Electric range cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer
  • Oil-fired central heating
  • Wood burning stove
  • Open fire in sitting room
  • TV with DVD player, selection of books and games, table tennis
  • Oil and electricity included in the rental - no starter pack for wood burner
  • Bed linen and towels inc in rent
  • Travel Cot and highchair available on request
  • Ample private parking
  • EV Charging Point for cars
  • Enclosed mature lawned grounds
  • Sorry, no pets and no smoking
  • Shops and pubs 2 miles
  • Property has a £100.00 good housekeeping bond

The property

This detached, stone built cottage was once the local vicarage and is located in mature grounds just 2 miles from the market town of Keswick. This cottage features stripped floors, high ceilings and a wood burning stove, offering luxurious accommodation for large families or groups of friends. On the ground floor is a fully equipped breakfasting kitchen with slate floor and electric range cooker, where you can cook up a storm before sitting down with friends in the dining room.

There's also a sitting room with an open fire, TV, DVD player and a selection of books and maps, perfect for cosying up on chilly nights.

The inner sitting room features a wood burning stove, whilst the utility room has a washing machine and tumble dryer.

After dinner, you can retire to the games room where you'll find table tennis, and a range of books and games.

There's also a twin bedroom, ground floor shower room with WC and hand basin, with its own kitchen area with electric oven and sink.

Upstairs there are 5 bedrooms, with the king-size master bedroom boasting an en-suite bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC. The large, mature grounds are laid mostly to lawn, with plenty of space to relax and unwind. This is an ideal location for exploring the National Park, with a number of walking routes just minutes away.

It's just a couple of miles to the market town of Keswick, where you can see local artefacts at the museum or get active at Keswick Climbing Wall. If leisurely walks are the order of the day, Castlerigg Stone Circle is close at hand, as is High and Low Rigg.

For something a little more challenging, climb Blencathra or Helvellyn and enjoy the spectacular views from the top. This stunning former vicarage is the perfect base to enjoy a holiday with family or a large group of friends.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.

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About the location

KESWICK

Bassenthwaite 7 miles, Ullswater 16.6 miles; Cockermouth 13 miles.

The popular town of Keswick is the holiday centre of the North of the Lake District and has plenty to offer the visitor at any time of year. The town boasts numerous shops and restaurants to suit all tastes, as well as offering miniature golf, excellent parks, the famous Theatre by the Lake, a charming cinema, the Pencil Museum, a climbing wall, fishing and great mountain biking opportunities, whilst the beautiful lake of Derwentwater at the head of the stunning Borrowdale Valley is only a few minutes walk from the town centre. Nearby, between Braithwaite and Buttermere is the beautiful Newlands Valley, while picturesque Bassenthwaite Lake is well worth a visit. From a gentle countryside ramble to a challenging hike up Skiddaw or the famous Catbells, there really is something for everyone. Visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, the Jennings Brewery and Mirehouse, a grand house and gardens on the shores of the Bassenthwaite Lake, or take a fabulous boat trip around Derwentwater. With plenty of attractions for the kids, lovely parks and the nearby Lake District Wildlife Park this is a great Lakeland destination whatever the time of year.

View more holiday cottages in Keswick

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute